Parties to demand debate on Lawlor issue

An urgent meeting of the Dail Committee on Procedures and Privileges to consider a motion calling on Deputy Liam Lawlor to resign his seat unless he agreed to appear before the Flood tribunal was ruled out by the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, last night.

However, pressure on Mr Lawlor will be increased today when the Opposition parties will demand Government time to have the motion debated in the Dail. The Labour Party leader, Mr Quinn, last night wrote to all party leaders and independent deputies seeking their support for the motion.

In the Dail yesterday, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said that while she regretted that a member of the House was not prepared to co-operate with a tribunal established by members of the house, it was a matter for the tribunal.

"I very much regret what has happened and I share the views expressed. However, clearly this is a matter for the tribunal, and from what Deputy Bruton has said, for the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is not a matter for me or this house."

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Bruton, and the Labour Party leader, Mr Quinn, criticised Mr Lawlor's failure to appear before the tribunal. They asked for a resolution to be passed in the Dail, without debate, condemning Mr Lawlor's behaviour.

In a statement issued last night, Mr Lawlor said following the raising of the matter in the Dail, he wanted to put on record that he had responded in detail to every query raised by the tribunal.

He said he had done so even to the extent of responding to issues raised by the tribunal which probably had nothing whatsoever to do with their terms of reference.

Mr Lawlor said he would very much welcome the matter being raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to give him the opportunity to comprehensively address the co-operation that had been forthcoming to the tribunal.